Photo Gallery: Vikings descend on the Shetland Islands

Andy Buchanan, AFP/Getty Images01.30.2013

Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat.

Andy Buchanan
/ AFP/Getty Images

Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat.Andy Buchanan
/ AFP/Getty Images

Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat.Andy Buchanan
/ AFP/Getty Images

Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat.Andy Buchanan
/ AFP/Getty Images

Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat.Andy Buchanan
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

A young participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

A participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose beside their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings look through a program of events as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

Participants dressed as Vikings enjoy hot drinks as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.ANDY BUCHANAN
/ AFP/Getty Images

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